Shirley

Not the easiest of reads, flowery language reflected the pastoral writing of the time but does require concentration (and the writing was tiny on tissue paper pages). I struggled to finish and now and again nearly gave up.
It's 194 pages until she is mentioned and not until 197 does Shirley appear. And thank goodness, as I was finding it rather dull. Historically interesting, yes, the industrial stuff with the weavers and all. But Caroline's woe and the many mournful ministers was wearing me down!
Shirley herself is a breath of fresh air, a feminist before the word was even thought of, opening Caroline's eyes to opportunities and the little independence possible in those days. Perhaps I was a little disappointed that there could be no hint of a relationship beyond friendship between the two, buried under the properness there was definitely potential.
My first Brontë has not enamoured me but I shall give them another go, just not for a while!

Charlotte bronte did warn at the start that the beginning of the book was boring..and it was but she did warn me so can I be mad about it?

I really enjoyed the chapters where Caroline and Shirley were together. All the other chapters were a hit or miss.

The last 100 pages were a bit boring to me, if they weren't then this book would be a 4 star :)

The first part of the book was very slow it wasn't until I got ~ 1/3 through the book when Shirley and Caroline show up. Bronte clearly presents Shirly as an extrovert and Caroline as an introvert. This book seems to address may interesting issues including depression, anxiety, possible Aspergers, PTSD , class, and money distinctions as well as issues related to marriage.

Incredibly forward thinking and feminist, it reminded me of Eufrasia Leite or Woolf's A room of one's own. Of course, there was also romance and soap opera style discoveries with Caroline, Mrs Pryor, Mr Moore, Shirley (a male name! OhCharlotte how clever) and the lot of curates and political background. Also, one of the best beginnings in all literature!